A friend of mine once shared in church a "parallel" story about his recent drive on Columbia Avenue in Morris. He noticed how some trees were cut down as the city prepares to widen the road. This visual picture reminded him how words can "cut" people. Then he shared how we need to "build each other up" through words of encouragement.
I've (Sal) decided to start an archive of encouraging e-mails I get from folks through my various e-mail accounts. This is to not "brag" about myself, but to remember what folks say as I reminder to "keep going" on day to day!...
Date: Thu, 10 Aug 2000 18:11:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: tope
Subject: Re: Welcome to the Morris Community Church!
Hello Sal!
Thank you for writing me.I really appreciate
it.Sorry we could not make church on wednesday but we
sure will try to eb there on sunday.
Thanks for your continuous support and encouragement.
God Bless
Tope Adebara
Date: Sun, 27 May 2001 22:46:08 -0500 (CDT)
From: Melissa N.
To: Morris Comm. Ch cmps min
Subject: Re: Summer Break!
Hi. I just wanted to let you know that I will not be coming back to Morris because I'm transferring to another school. Thank you for making me feel welcome at church. I wish you all the best with your future. Thanks again!
Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2001 15:25:46 -0500
From: Philip D.
To: mcccm@mrs.umn.edu
Subject: Re: Summer Newsletter
Sal,
You do an awesome job with this newsletter! Keep up the work. It is an excellent ministry.
Philip D.
Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 14:22:20 -0500 (CDT)
From: Katie F.
To: Morris Comm. Ch cmps min
Subject: note of encouragement
Hey Sal-
I just wanted to say that you are doing a great job sending out news
letters and keeping the MCC body up-to-date on the latest happenings and
prayer concerns. Thanks for all you do! Keep up the good work for the
kingdom of God. All glory to God!
katie f.
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 15:48:06 -0500 (CDT)
From: Bethany E.
Thanks for putting me on the email list. I really appreciate your
faithfulness to every task. As far as the Bible study goes, noon or one
on a weekday would be good. We just need to hear from Mel if that is okay
for her.
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 13:27:41 +0000
From: randon
Subject: Re: "mighty mighty savior"
Psalm 20:7 is an appropriate scripture. Thank you for
bringing this to my attention. For decades, the
treasure of this nation has been its military strength
and economic prowess. Perhaps with this tragedy more
Americans will come to know and acknowledge The Lord as
Refuge and Provider.
Please give my deepest regards to Neil and Ruth, I
continue to cherish and benefit from their wise counsel.
Cordially,
Date: Fri, 04 Jan 2002 09:40:11 –0600
From: Philip D.
Subject: Re: "God is doing a new thang!"
Sal,
You're doing an awesome job on this newsletter! Everything is always very
insightful and keeps people in the loop. I hope all of your recipients
appreciate your work!
Blessings,
Phili
Date: Sat, 12 Oct 2002 12:14:11 -0500
To my Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In Christ,
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2003 16:19:09 -0800 (PST)
Dear Brother In Christ,
Sincerely,
From: Pastor Gideon
Dear pastor
It was just great to come across your ministries while surfing on the
internet. May God richly bless you for the great work that you are
doing. I am pastor Gideon Mudenyo an intercessor, pastor and a teacher
of
the word. I pastor a small congregation of 90 members in Western kenya a
small town known as Webuye.
God has blessed us and we have the heart of reaching thousands of
people here in Africa. So please pray that God may give you an
opportunity to come and speak in our churches, Conferences and Open air crusades. We can have the multitudes of people coming to hear that powerful word of
God.
Please I kindly request you to be our prayer partners. We are just leaving in the endtimes where we need the will of God to be revealed
into our lives. Just keep in touch
May God bless you richly
In His vineyard
Dear Pastor.
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. It was really ablessing to come
across your website while surfing on the internet. The message on the web
really touched me and I felt encouraged in the Lord.
Well am pastor Alex Wabwile Wafula married to Florence. God has given us
a church and we have 150 members and still believing God for the
increase. Please do pray with us that God may also use us in a great way.
We just wish that you shoul one time come and teach the people of God
about the word for we are really touched just by reading about you.
May God reachly bless you.
Yours brother in the Lord
From: "Tom W."
Friend, you are an important part of the kingdom! Push forward and stay the course!
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
You are part of the royal priesthood and we are all important parts in the kingdom! We are in the midst of a race. As in any relay race as one generation passes the baton to the next generation we are closer to our Father. But in a relay race, the best runners are always saved for last! You are part of this last generation -- God predestined you to live in this time for a reason. Push forward Friend and be a vessel of honor.
Have a great weekend,
Date: Mon, 14 Apr 2003 15:02:28 -0500
Hey Sal and Co.,
Peace,
From : Kris and Susie
Sal,
Thanks for your desire/willingness to encourage the church body! To be sure, people do need encouragement or recognition from time to time, and this can be expressed to them in many different ways. I recommend writing an individualized note or card, expressing your own appreciation for the person's unique gifts. This is a thoughtful way to edify the church in love, as we are commanded to, and is often more effective than a typical public recognition (especially for shy folks).
Thanks for the thought, Sal. You've inspired me to think about how to encourage others in ways they don't expect!
See you soon,
From : Winkelman's
Hey Sal,
From : aili
From : MKaL
Hello..My name is Mical, and I just recently came across your website..I don't remember how, but I was drawn in because of your love for Christ. I checked out your link to your vacation back home...the Philippines. I am also a filipino-american, born in the Philippines (left when I was three), raised in Daly City, California, and now currently living in Tampa, Florida. I was soo happy to have read your thoughts about the Philippines. It brought back so many memories of my own from when I went back in Christmas 2000. It's funny caz that was the first time I had ever gone back since I was three! And I found out that was your first tim going back since you were three years old too!! I also really enjoy reading your thoughts about Jesus. It's soo awesome to know that Jesus Christ is the lover of your soul..and that he is your Lord and Savior.
You inspire me to be a better Christian, and you inspire me to love my country more than ever. Thank you for posting your site online...the Lord used it for His glory..and I thank Him for doing that...May the Lord bless you...
Your sister in Christ Jesus,
note: here's my blog..if you ever want to check it out... www.mic2blog.blogspot.com
Jesus loves you!!
From : Jeryl
i am blessed by the courage you have in sharing your testimony. im a filipino pastor studying for a postgraduate degree here in london england under full scholarship. i will be returning home to work in a bible college in general santos city probably next year.
most likely i will have my internship by 2006 at indiana and will stay in montana afterwards for my dissertation writing.
God bless,
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2005 19:31:42 -0800 (PST)
Sal-
God Bless,
Harold Jones
-Thanksgiving Mall E-mail Responses
Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:32:02 -0600
From : Chandel D.
Sal-
From : lund
Hey Sal -
Thanks for sending me those websites - I never imagined how much
information would be on them! Seriously, you are incredibly thorough and
your site is a very good resource. I can't help but wonder how you could
be so incredibly motivated and where you got the time to make that detailed
of a site...but I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, you appear to put 110%
into everything you do...you definitely inspire me to work harder!
Currently, I cannot think of any info you forgot to send me, but I was able
to gather much more than I had expected on your website. I also enjoyed
the information about the group home - I really enjoy my job working at a
Day Program for Disabled adults, and though I cannot get paid for it, I
would love to volunteer on a regular basis (weekly) next year at the group
home, so I will have to contact you when I get back up to Morris. Until
then, keep up the good witness - with the passion you have for your
ministry, I have no doubt you're making a difference!
Shelly
From : Amelia C
Hey Sal!
Thanks for the thanks! My meditation for today is Mark 9:50, which talks about being salt for the world. My prayer to God was to make me salt, and show me what salt truly is. There were many cross references verses that talked about how our words edify each other. Then, it occured to me that we can be salt by speaking words of encouragement to one another (Ephesians 4:29 was one of the cross references). Anyway, when reading your webpage, it was obvious that you were making the delicious dish of Morris (and beyond) a little more salty!
Thanks Sal for being Sal(t)!
Thursday 09/26/2002 6:47:12pm
Date: Wed, 24 May 2006 00:06:09 CDT
Sal,
Alicia
From : Sabrina K.
Hi Sal,
This is Sabrina, we met at the Morris Prairie Festival. My fiancé Nick and I have a jewelry booth.
I read your story on your web page. It is an awesome testimony. I am also a Christian. You are so Blessed by
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
It feels my heart with joy to know that there are young adult Christians making a difference in this world.
When I was in the workforce here in MN. The racism was so obvious. It hurt me so bad. I could hardly
concentrate on my tasks.
God always edifies and encourages me that the righteous will be rewarded.
I find solace in that. You stay encouraged, Peace be with you.
Sincerely,
Date: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 08:52:34 -0700 (PDT)
Sal-
Thanks for the encouraging letter about Picnic in the
Park... I especially want to thank you for going out
of your way to promote and build bridges with the
community and beyond Morris.
Thanks also for all your help making runs to Willies
on Saturday.
We couldn't have done it without you.
God Bless You Sal-
The Bible has been very encouraging from me as its' a "love letter" from my Heavenly Father, which I try to read in my daily devotions/meditations morning and evening (Joshua 1:8).
Taming the Tongue, James 3:1-8 (bible.org)
"9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."-James 3 NIV
Other messages:
Breanna Olson (Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN) wrote
at 9:48pm yesterday (Thursday, November 1st of 2007)
Nic Lesmeister
"Good to hear from you Sal!!!
Your site is very nice!! ...very encouraging about a subject that is very worrysome to us all at some point in our lives!"
From : keng v
This was sent to me through a friend and I wanted to
share it with, so sorry if I am jamming up your
mailboxes.
Keng
The Power of Words
Keep on hoppin'
A group of frogs were traveling through the woods,
and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other
frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep
the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as
good as dead.
The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump
out of the pit with all of their might. The group of
frogs kept telling them to stop because they were as
good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to
what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell
down and died.
The second frog continued to jump as hard as he could.
Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop
the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and
finally made it out. You see this frog was deaf,
unable to hear what the others were saying. He thought
they were encouraging him the entire time.
This story teaches a lesson...
There is the power of life and death in the tongue. An
encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them
up and help them make it through the day. A
destructive word to someone who is down can be what it
takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say.
Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of
encouraging words can go such a long way.
Books
Cards
Stories
Thank you for visiting my page at Angelfire. Please come back and visit again!
To: Morris Comm. Ch cmps min
Subject: Re: "You are my all and all."
Bethany
Randon G.
From: Shannon
To: mcccm@mrs.umn.edu
I would like to give a praise report to thoes of you in Morris and
other places. I want to give all of you encourgement during this hard time
in our nations history. Jesus Christ is faithful..... and let me remind you
will never ever leave us!!
I've had some pretty big prayers anwsered in life. Prayers regarding
having large amounts of fellowship. Also, I'd like you all to pray about
where God may use you in the last days harvest. Check out
http://www.gfa.org, for information on what God is do in World Missions.
Shannon
(UMM '02 alum)
From: Earl S
To: Morris Comm. Ch cmps min
Subject: Re: "For the word...
YOur E-mails are hitting personal to
my heart in the way I grow in Christ. You are a good
man Sal. I under no cercomstans (spelled wrong)take
us talking and growing in Christ together when we do
actually talk for granted. To the United Church of
Christ. Do the will of God, not of yor own. For no
man shall gain anything if the works are done out of
no heart. The heart of a man in the Holy spirit's
name, can do great wonders. Do not worry too much
about eachother as Christians, to the point of
becoming cold shouldered and put a blanket over your
eyes. Always have the heart of a Child and just love
one another, without judgment. Only one can Judge and thats God.
Yo Brother Andrew
To: saldapal@
Subject: Thank you
Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2003 04:41:54 -0800 (PST)
Pastor Gideon M.
Pastor Alex Wabwile
To: saldapal@
Subject: Fwd: Hi....words of encouragement
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 00:22:51 +0000
From: Shannon F.
To: mcccm@mrs.umn.edu
Subject: Re: "Precious Lord reveal....
All of the news updates are very helpful!! Keep
them coming!
Shannon
Sal's Homepage Hotmail Account
Sent : Thursday, February 26, 2004 1:55 PM
To : saldapal@
CC : pat-ang@
Subject : building up the body
Kris
Sent : Sunday, March 21, 2004 9:36 PM
To : "Salvador Cruz"
Wanted to ask for your prayer support for Brett and the team this week. I know that you care about Brett and our family. I thank you for words of encouragement and the "quiet" work that you do for the Lord. You are blessed by His hand.
Thanks Sal and have a great week.
In Him,
Darcy
Sent : Tuesday, November 18, 2003 2:22 PM
To : Salvador Cruz
Hi Sal~
Thank you very much for the email and information about Australia. I truly
appreciate that and your advice. As of right now I am planning on going to
Australia the summer of 2005 with a friend from high school who attends UND
in Grand Forks, ND. I'm not sure of all the details yet since it is a long
ways off, but I'll probably look into it more over Christmas break when I'm
not bogged down with school work.
Thanks again Sal! Take care and keep seeking the Lord with everything!
~Erin
To : saldapal@
Subject : greetings in the Lord JEsus Christ
Mical
Reply-To : pastorje
Sent : Wednesday, December 22, 2004
To : saldapal@hotmail.com
Subject : hi
pastor jeryl
Sal's Yahoo Account
From: "Harold Jones"
Subject: Re: Hi from a Caregiver-Morris, Minnesota!
To: "Sal Monteagudo"
Thank you so much for your e-mail. Sorry that it took me so long to reply. We are most honored that you enjoyed the movie.
Radio and I are doing just fine and so are our families. He is still attending school everyday and is helping with the football, wrestling, basketball and track teams. He is with the basketball team now. God has blessed us so much.
I really enjoyed the article about Shaya. God Bless those 18 boys for what they did.
We admire you for the work that you are doing for the people with special needs.
From: "Amelia C
To: "Sal Monteagudo"
Subject: Re: Sal-have a blessed thanksgiving...
"I'm thankful for Salvation.
I'm also thankful that I met you and was able to spend 4 years in Morris.. thank you!
We're going to Corpus Christi as a family and eating fried turkey for the first time.
-Ami
Sent : Tuesday, June 15, 2004 8:22 AM
To : "Salvador Cruz"
Subject : Re: Sal-Opening Thoughts
It was great getting to know you these past months....great thoughts on your angelfire link, thanks for taking the time to do that!
Sent : Tuesday, June 29, 2004 6:21 PM
To : Salvador Cru
Subject : Re: Sal-Follow-up for Shelly
Sent : Monday, June 28, 2004 5:01 PM
To : Salvador Cruz
UMM Alpha Account
Name: Denise
E-Mail: zjourney@yahoo.com
Homepage Title: Powerful Books
Homepage URL: http://www.chistell.com
Referred By: Search Engine
Location: USA
Comments: Keep spreading the Good News!
Denise
From: "Alicia M
Subject: Re: Sal-growth tips for Chi Alpha....
To: "Alpha Omega"
Sorry it took me so long to respond. It was a busy end of the year!
...
Thanks for always being a support to me, to chi alpha, and to the
christians on campus. I know God has you in Morris for a reason. Keep
following Him!
Goodnews UMM Hotmail Acount
Sent : Friday, July 16, 2004 2:38 PM
To : "Sal (vador) Monteagudo"
Subject : Saved
Sister Sabrina There'sa Kimble
Good News Morris Account (est. 8/04)
From: "Mark and Anna H.
Subject: Re: Praise Report-Morris' Picnic in the Park
To: "GoodNews Morris"
Mark
Bible Bulletin Board
Last Days Ministries
Facebook Profile
Thanks for the link, Sal. I saw End of the Spear awhile ago, and I didn't realize it took place in Ecuador! I also didn't realize it was about the Quichuan people! My boyfriend is Quichuan, from Peru. I need to watch that movie again."
Today at 7:42am (Monday, November 5th of 2007)
E-mail Forwards
Sent : Thursday, June 16, 2005 12:55 PM
Subject : [Friends] Moral of the story: Be nice!
Reccomended Resources
amazon.com
*referred by Eric B. (UMM friend) on July 2005
Thank you for visiting GoodnewsUMM! Please feel free to e-mail me (Sal) at goodnews_usa@yahoo.com on any comments, suggestions (e.g. any new websites),complaints, or anytype of feedback to improve this website.
